Re-evaluate the eligibility requirements and restrictions for the certification exam

Welcome to our Newest Board Members!

The American Board of Genetic Counseling is pleased to announce the results of the 2019 Board of Directors election. This year we added an additional Board member and are happy to welcome two new individuals to the ABGC Board of Directors. They began a four-year term on January 1, 2020.

Sarah Jane Noblin, MS, CGC

Laboratory Genetic Counselor at

Natera, working remotely from

Houston, TX.

Sarah has been an ABGC Diplomate since 2002. She received her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. During much of her career, Sarah has been a clinical genetic counselor, providing both prenatal and pediatric genetic counseling services to underserved patients within the Harris Health System at LBJ Hospital in Houston, TX. During that time, Sarah was a very active faculty member within the UT Genetic Counseling Program (UTGCP), serving as the Assistant Program Director from 2005 through 2015 and earning the rank of Associate Professor. In 2015, while remaining the Coordinator for Recruitment and Outreach for the UTGCP, Sarah took on a new role as Coordinator of Genetics Education for both the UTHealth OB/GYN Residency and MFM Fellowship Programs. In 2019, Sarah left academia for industry and is currently a laboratory genetic counselor with Natera’s Carrier Screen Team. While Sarah still enjoys educating patients during their genetic information sessions, she is also enjoying the new opportunities that working in industry provides. Throughout her career, Sarah has held numerous volunteer roles within AGCPD, NSGC, ACGC and now ABGC.

Kate Wilson, MS, CGC Product Manager, Oncology and Advanced Diagnostics, at Quest Diagnostics in Marietta, Georgia.

Kate has been an ABGC Diplomate since 2009. She received her Masters of Science in Genetic Counseling at the University of South Carolina. From 2007-2013 Kate worked with the University of Texas as an Assistant Professor for the Genetic Counseling program. In addition, she served as the Director of Cancer Genetics Services establishing and coordinating four cancer genetic counseling services in the greater Houston area. In her current role with Quest, she is a Product Manager involved with oncology genetic testing and elective, consumer testing. Kate analyzes market trends, billing and coding data, and clinical guidelines to develop and launch new genetic testing products and services. Additionally, she educates healthcare and business professionals on genetic healthcare and testing, as well as collaborates with academic and clinical partners. Kate is passionate about increased and equitable access to genetic services and genetic education. She is involved with several training programs and loves working with students.

Certification Examination Performance

The 2019 certification examination performance data was presented at the ABGC Business Meeting at the National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Conference in Salt Lake City, UT. In 2019, 428 candidates took the board examination (up from 362 in 2018). Of those, 361 were first attempt examinees, 43 were repeat examinees, and four were genetic counselors seeking recertification by exam. In this cycle, the overall pass rate was 83%, which is consistent with the overall pass rates since 2015. Consistent with observations over the past six years, the first-time pass rate was slightly higher than the overall passing rate (85% versus 83%). The ABGC Certification Examination is offered twice a year, in February and August, to individuals who have earned active candidate status and to Diplomates recertifying by exam. The passing rate is determined by comparing individual scores to predetermined standards of minimal competence in the genetic counseling field. More information on the certification exam performance can be found on the ABGC website (http://www.abgc.net), For Diplomates, Certification Exam Performance.